Glucose measuring module and insulin pump combination

Abstract

A combination glucose measuring and insulin pumping device is described. The two major components, a glucose measuring module and an insulin pump, are held together by a quick attach and release mechanism. Communication between the glucose measuring module and the insulin pump is by a wireless modality. The glucose measuring module determines the glucose level in a sample, and wirelessly transmits the data to the insulin pump, where the data are stored in a memory, and are available for visual display on the insulin pump, and for incorporation into selection of appropriate protocols for the rate of insulin infusion by the pump into the patient.

1. A method of measuring the glucose level of a diabetic using a modular glucose measuring module and insulin pump combination comprising:
 (a) attaching a glucose measuring module without a display to an insulin pump housing using a mechanical clasp comprising a quick attach and release mechanism, the attaching including engaging a lip of the quick attach and release mechanism with a lip-engaging portion of the pump housing to align the insulin pump housing with the glucose measuring module; 
 (b) inserting a glucose test strip in the module; 
 (c) contacting the glucose test strip to a blood sample; 
 (d) determining data relating to a glucose value based on said sample using a microprocessor in the module; 
 (e) transmitting said data wirelessly from said module to said insulin pump and converting said data to a glucose value using a microprocessor in said pump; 
 (f) displaying said glucose value on a display on said pump; and 
 (g) detaching the clasp and module from the pump housing. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the insulin pump housing is watertight. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  including activating the glucose measuring module when the glucose test strip is inserted. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein activating the glucose measuring module includes transmission of a signal to the insulin pump. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  wherein the signal is displayed on the display of the pump indicating activation of the glucose measuring module. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  including controlling one or more functions of the glucose measuring module using a control button provided on the insulin pump housing. 
     
     
       7. A method of measuring the glucose level of a diabetic using a modular glucose measuring module and insulin pump combination, comprising:
 (a) attaching a glucose measuring module without a display to an insulin pump housing with a mechanical clasp comprising a quick attach and release mechanism in a single action; 
 (b) inserting a glucose test strip in the module; 
 (c) contacting the glucose test strip to a blood sample; 
 (d) determining data relating to a glucose value based on said sample using a microprocessor in the module; 
 (e) transmitting said data wirelessly from said module to said insulin pump and converting said data to a glucose value using a microprocessor in said pump; 
 (f) displaying said glucose value on a display on said pump; and 
 (g) detaching the clasp and module from the pump housing in a single action. 
 
     
     
       8. A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the attaching comprises engaging a lip of the quick attach and release mechanism with a lip-engaging portion of the pump housing to align the insulin pump housing with the glucose measuring module. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7  including activating the glucose measuring module when the glucose test strip is inserted. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  wherein activating the glucose measuring module includes transmission of a signal to the insulin pump. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  wherein the signal is displayed on the display of the pump indicating activation of the glucose measuring module. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 7  including controlling one or more functions of the glucose measuring module using a control button provided on the insulin pump housing. 
     
     
       13. A method of measuring the glucose level of a diabetic using a modular glucose measuring module and insulin pump combination, comprising:
 (a) attaching a glucose measuring module without a display to an insulin pump housing using a mechanical clasp comprising a quick attach and release mechanism; 
 (b) inserting a glucose test strip in the module; 
 (c) contacting the glucose test strip to a blood sample; 
 (d) determining data relating to a glucose value based on said sample using a microprocessor in the module; 
 (e) transmitting said data wirelessly from said module to said insulin pump and converting said data to a glucose value using a microprocessor in said pump; 
 (f) displaying said glucose value on a display on said pump; and 
 (g) detaching the clasp and module from the pump housing. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the glucose measuring module is attached to the insulin pump housing in a single action, and further, wherein the insulin pump housing is detached from the glucose measuring module in a single action. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the attaching comprises engaging a lip of the quick attach and release mechanism with a lip-engaging portion of the pump housing to align the insulin pump housing with the glucose measuring module. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13 , wherein attaching the glucose measuring module to the insulin pump housing aligns a data communication port of the glucose measuring module to a data communication port on the insulin pump housing. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the data communication port of the glucose measuring module and the data communication port of on the insulin pump housing includes an infrared (IR) data transmission port, respectively. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 13  including activating the glucose measuring module when the glucose test strip is inserted. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  wherein activating the glucose measuring module includes transmission of a signal to the insulin pump. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19  wherein the signal is displayed on the display of the pump indicating activation of the glucose measuring module. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 13  including controlling one or more functions of the glucose measuring module using a control button provided on the insulin pump housing.